Naming spreadsheet cells

    You can assign names (such as "Expenses" or "Fees") to a single cell or a cell range. You can use cell names to
    • reference cells in formulas
    • select the named cells quickly
    • help you remember the purpose of the data in those cells

    When you're working with named cells, you use the commands in the name pop-up menu, located to the left of the entry bar.

    Name pop-up menu

    Cell names must conform to these rules:
    • You can't use the same cell name more than once in the same spreadsheet.
    • The first character must be a letter.
    • The name can't contain operators (such as + or -) or punctuation marks.
    • The name can't resemble a cell reference (such as A8) or an AppleWorks function (such as SUM).

Assigning names to cells

    To name a cell or cell range:
    1 Select the cells you want to name.
    2 Choose Define Name from the name pop-up menu.

    To use row or column titles as cell names:
    1 Select a range of cells that includes at least one row or column where you've typed a descriptive title.
    2 Choose Auto Name from the name pop-up menu.
    AppleWorks derives names from data in the top row and left column of the selection.
    3 Deselect any items you don't want to use as cell range names.

Editing cell names

    To edit existing cell names in a spreadsheet:
    • Choose Edit Names from the name pop-up menu.

Using cell names in formulas

    To use cell names in a formula:
    1 Assign a name to a cell or cell range.
    2 Type the formula, using cell names in place of cell addresses.
    Tip: You can choose the name from the name pop-up menu.

    If you see #NAME! in the cell:
    You've used a name that is not defined. To quickly define the name, select the cells that correspond to the name. Then choose Define Name from the name pop-up menu, and choose the name you specified from the pop-up menu to the right of the Name box. (You see the pop-up menu only if there are undefined cell names.)

Switching between cell names and cell references

    When you use named cells in a spreadsheet, you can switch between cell names and cell references (addresses) in formulas.

    To switch between cell names and cell references in a formula:
    1 Select the cells containing formulas you want to switch.
    2 Choose a command from the name pop-up menu:
    • To switch from cell names to cell references, choose Replace Names.
    • To switch from cell references to cell names, choose Replace References.
    3 Deselect any items you don't want to switch.

Related topics

 


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